SGA, Salvation Army Partner for UNA Angel Tree ProjectNov. 30, 2010

FLORENCE, Ala. – Students, faculty and campus organizations have the opportunity to give back to needy children in the Shoals area as the University of North Alabama Student Government Association partners with the Salvation Army to sponsor 30 children through the 11th annual UNA Angel Tree project.

An angel tree is set up in the Office of Student Engagement in the Guillot University Center now through Dec. 10, where interested groups, students or faculty can sponsor a child from ages 1 to 13. SGA asks that sponsors donate basic items like clothing, shoes and toys for each child they choose.

“The things these children want are very simplistic, and their needs and wish lists are basic, like clothes, a DVD or other childhood things that most of us take for granted,” said Erin Dulaney, SGA chair for elections and recruitment. “[Sponsoring an angel] will make the day of the child who probably doesn’t have enough clothes to last them through the week. Every little bit counts.”

After collecting the 30 angel tree contributions, SGA will donate the items to the Florence chapter of the Salvation Army, where they will distribute the holiday presents to needy children in the surrounding areas. Because money is tight among college students during the holidays, SGA president Cory Hamilton encourages individuals and RSOs to form groups and pool money together to sponsor an angel in the area.

“This is a worthy cause that I’ve done every year since I’ve been at UNA,” Hamilton said. “The Angel Tree program helps families that can’t provide presents for their children. It’s a good chance for the UNA community to give back because there are a lot of people out there who don’t have what we have.”